Néstor Kirchner on United States

Néstor Kirchner adopted a pragmatic foreign policy that marked a departure from the automatic alignment with the United States characteristic of the 1990s. His administration preferred a relationship characterized as 'cooperation without cohabitation' when dealing with the U.S. president, engaging in candid dialogue even when holding differing views on policy, such as the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). He strongly opposed the FTAA, preferring a system that would grant more influence to the Mercosur bloc, which contributed to the negotiations stalling after the 4th Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata. While he stated opposition to the war on terror, he did not support the war itself and notably refused to meet with the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. His foreign policy emphasis shifted toward strengthening integration with other Latin American countries, especially Brazil and Venezuela, to achieve regional strategic autonomy, sometimes putting him at odds with Washington's influence.

This recalibration signaled a move away from the closeness of the preceding era, which was sometimes described as 'carnal relations.' The independent stance was further evidenced by Argentina, under his leadership, refusing to allow Honduras back into the OAS following a coup that received U.S. backing. His success in defying the International Monetary Fund was seen by some as contributing to the demise of U.S. influence, particularly over recently independent South American nations. Despite moments of alignment, like sending health specialists to aid after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the overall trajectory under Kirchner was one of asserting Argentine sovereignty against perceived U.S. pressure.